20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
Sysco is engaged in various legal proceedings which have arisen but have not been fully adjudicated. The likelihood of loss for these legal proceedings, based on definitions within contingency accounting literature, ranges from remote to reasonably possible to probable. When probable, the losses have been accrued. Based on estimates of the range of potential losses associated with these matters, management does not believe the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the company. However, the final results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and if the company failed to prevail in one or more of these legal matters, and the associated realized losses were to exceed the company’s current estimates of the range of potential losses, the company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations could be materially adversely affected in future periods.
Fuel Commitments
Sysco routinely enters into forward purchase commitments for a portion of its projected diesel fuel requirements. As of June 29, 2013, we had forward diesel fuel commitments totaling approximately $204.0 million through August 2014.
Other Commitments
Sysco has committed to aggregate product purchases for resale in order to benefit from a centralized approach to purchasing. A majority of these agreements expire within one year; however, certain agreements have terms through fiscal 2018. These agreements commit the company to a minimum volume at various pricing terms, including fixed pricing, variable pricing or a combination thereof. Minimum amounts committed to as of June 29, 2013 totaled approximately $1,819.1 million. Minimum amounts committed to by year are as follows:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
2014 |
|
$ |
1,157,103 |
|
2015 |
|
|
426,362 |
|
2016 |
|
|
141,893 |
|
2017 |
|
|
93,266 |
|
2018 |
|
|
444 |
Sysco has contracts with various third party service providers to receive information technology services. The services have been committed for periods up to fiscal 2016 and may be extended. As of June 29, 2013, the total remaining cost of the services over that period is expected to be approximately $531.7 million. A portion of this amount may be reduced by Sysco utilizing less than estimated resources and can be increased by Sysco utilizing more than estimated resources. Certain agreements allow adjustments for inflation. Sysco may also cancel a portion or all of the services provided subject to termination fees which decrease over time. If Sysco were to terminate all of the services in fiscal 2014, the estimated termination fee incurred in fiscal 2014 would range from approximately $22.8 million to $32.6 million.